Which amendment granted citizens the right to vote regardless of race?

Study for the FGCU Civic Literacy Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to prepare confidently. Get ready for your exam!

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution is pivotal because it expressly prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a significant step toward ensuring that African American men, in particular, could participate in the electoral process following the Civil War.

While other amendments also address voting rights, they do so in different contexts. The 19th Amendment, for example, granted women the right to vote, which is a vital milestone but does not pertain to racial voting rights. The 24th Amendment eliminated poll taxes in federal elections, making it easier for citizens to vote irrespective of their economic status but does not directly address race. Lastly, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18, expanding voting access to younger citizens rather than addressing racial discrimination.

Thus, the 15th Amendment is specifically aimed at ensuring that race cannot be used as a barrier to voting, making it the correct choice for this question.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy